Common Workplace Injuries Requiring Orthopedic Care
Even if you do not have a physically active job that demands manual labor, you may still be at risk for an orthopedic injury in the workplace. Though orthopedic injuries are most commonly associated with construction work, manufacturing, and other jobs that require very heavy lifting daily, there are still chances that these injuries could happen in less hazardous jobs at any time. Regardless of your work environment, it is important to know what orthopedic injuries are, and how they can happen in the workplace. With that said, here are a few examples of workplace injuries that require orthopedic care:
Overexertion
Overexertion is a common workplace injury that can cause a significant amount of trauma to the body. Typically, overexertion occurs when a person pushes their physical efforts beyond their capabilities, resulting in injury. Lifting, carrying, throwing, pushing, holding, and turning are all physical functions that may lead to overexertion and have the potential to cause skeletal injuries such as fractures or sprains. Often, people will perform an action improperly using incorrect form or posture or simply push their physical limits to the point of injury. If your job requires physical activity daily, it’s important to be trained and educated on how to safely perform these types of tasks.
Repetitive motion
Even if you are working at a desk every day, you still may be at risk for repetitive motion-related injuries. Any person performing the same motions daily for extended periods can cause damage to certain parts of their body. One of the most common examples of repetitive motion injury in the workplace is carpal tunnel syndrome. This is a condition that causes numbness and tingling in the wrist and arm due to a pinched nerve, common for people who work in an office setting and type on computers all day. If left untreated, carpal tunnel can turn into a long-term issue and become very painful. The best way to avoid a repetitive motion-related injury is to take breaks periodically.
Contact injuries
There are some cases when employees may have accidental contact with objects or equipment at work that could result in serious injuries. People who work in more hazardous environments such as construction or manufacturing are typically at a higher risk for workplace contact injury. Getting hit by a moving object, getting caught between two objects, being stuck under a structure, or suffering from the friction of an object are all situations that could lead to contact injury. This is why it is essential always to follow safety regulations when you are on the job, no matter what. Wearing safety equipment such as hard hats, gloves, and steel-toe shoes will also help prevent the severity of contact injury.
Slips, trips, and falls
Slips, trips, and falls can happen in any work setting, and they are a very common workplace injury. Healthcare workers, construction workers, and those who work in the foodservice industry are typically at a higher risk to suffer from a slip, trip, or fall. However, these occurrences may also happen in office settings if cords are laying around the office, uneven flooring, or if an area has not been properly cleaned. Slip, trip, and fall accidents could cause serious injuries such as sprained ankles, sprained wrists, and even arm and shoulder dislocation. Depending on the nature of the fall, it could even lead to bone fractures. These injuries are often very unexpected, which is why it is critical always to be aware of your surroundings to avoid an unwanted accident.
Have you suffered from an orthopedic injury at work?
As you can see, orthopedic injuries are much more common than you might think. Like all injuries, the first step to take following a workplace accident is to seek medical attention. If you are suffering from a workplace injury, you have come to the right place. Metro Healthcare Partners is a multi-specialty healthcare center located in Brooklyn, New York. We have trained and experienced specialists in orthopedics who will help patients get on the road to recovery in no time.
If you have questions about our services, contact our offices today by calling 718-568-5239.